Apparatus for manufacturing hollow glass building blocks



J. L. DRAKE APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURING HOLLOW GLASS BUILDING BLOCKS Aug. 9, 1949.

5 Sheets-sheaf 1 Filed April 15, 1942 J. L. DRAKE APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURING R OLLOW A Aug. 9, 1949.

GLASS BUILDING BLOCKS 5 Shejets -Sheet 2 Filed April 15, 1942 APE-1.7;

- Gttomeg Filed April 15, 1942 A J. g. DRAKE 2,478,812 n APPABAIUS FOR IANUI'ACTURIIIG HOLLOW GLASS BUILDING BLOCKS 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 6 I I V Zinnmtorf Q/OHN L. DEA/{ET Gttomeg Aug; 9, 1949. J. L. DRAKE 2,478,812

APPARATUS FOR uuumcwunms HOLLOW emss BUILDING BLOCKS Filed April 15, 1942 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 .ll 1"" J L V 4 3nbntor @bmv LDRAKE Gltomeg J. L. DRAKE A APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURING HOLLOW 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 GLASS BUILDING BLOCKS Aug. 9, 1949.

Find April 15, 1942 Zhwentor (Iliomeg Patented Aug. 9, 1949 John L. Drake, Toledo, Ohio; assignor to Libbey-- Owens-Ford Glass Company, Toledo ohio, a

corporation of Ohio Application April 15, 1942, Serial No. 139,02

4 Claims.

The present invention relates to apparatus for manufacturing hollow glass building blocks, and constitutes a continuation in part of application Serial No. 243,407, filed December 1, 1938, which has since become abandoned.

An object of the invention is the provision of an improved apparatus for producing multi-part hollow glass building blocks composed of two substantially similar preformed sections joined together at the edge portions thereof.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an improved apparatus for joining the preformed sections of the block in a manner to permanently unite them with one'another and at the same time effectively remove the air from between said sections to produce a vacuum within the completed block.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a novel apparatus wherein the preformed sections of the block are assembled and united with one another in a controlled vacuum, whereby to obtain more uniform results in the making of the blocks as well as the production of blocks having a maximum degree of insulating capacity.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become more apparent during the course of the following description, when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings wherein like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same I Fig. 1 is a vertical longitudinal section through one form of apparatus provided for carrying out;

the invention; 7

Figs. 2, 3, 4 and 5 are sectional views showing the successive positions assumed by the apparatus during the assembling and uniting .of the preformed sections of the block;

Fig. 6 is a perspective viewof the'finished block;

Fig. 7 is a sectional view through one of the rotatable carriages taken substantially on line 1-1 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 8 is a view of the timer and the pressure and exhausting apparatus for controlling the movements of the mold sections and the creation of the vacuum between the glass block sections;

Fig. 9 shows an electrical wiring diagram for controlling the operation of the motor which drives the rotatable carriages;

Fig. 10 is a detail section taken substantially on line llll0 of Fig. '7; and

Fig. 11 is a view of the timer and associated means for controlling the operation of the glass feeding means and glass pressing means.

With'reference first to Fig. 6, there is disclosed a hollow glass building block of rectangular formcomposed of twosubstantially similar preformed cup-like sections of halves l5 and I6. Each section includes a bottom wall IT and side and end walls l8 and [9 respectively; the two sections being permanently united with one another along their edge portions as indicated at 20.

In Figs. 1 to 5 inclusive is illustrated one method and apparatus for. producing the block shown in Fig. 6. The apparatus embodies two similar machines 2! and 22 arranged side by side and each being adapted to produce one of the sections or halves of the glass block. For instance, machine 2| can produce the section [5 of the block and machine 22 the section It. The machines 2| and 22 arefa'dapted to be supplied with molten glass from the furnaces 23 and 24 respectively.

Each'machine comprises a rotatable carriage 25 mounted upon a horizontal shaft 26 and provided with. a plurality'of rectangular mold car-- riers 21, 28, 29, etc, the number of which may be varied as desired. Arranged within each of the mold carriers 21, 28, 29, etc., isa cup-shaped moldcomposed .of an outer section 30 and an inner section 32'. The outer section 30 is slidable within ,guideways 3| formed in the respective carrier, while the inner mold section 32 is slidably received within said outer section. Theouter mold section 30 is carried by a piston 33 operable to the container 45.

within a cylinder 34, while the inner mold section 32 is carried by a piston 35 operable within a cylinder 36. Both of the cylinders 34 and 36 are arranged within the respective mold carrier.

Associated with the machines 2| and 22 are plungers 31 and 38 respectively which cooperate with the inner mold sections 32 of said machines to form the two sections l5 and I6 of the glass blocks'as will be more clearly hereinafter apparent. The plungers 31 and 38 are'carried by pis-" tons .39 and 40 respectively operable within cylinders 4| and 42 mounted upon the fixed supporting means 43.

Each of the furnaces 23 and24 contains a mass of moltengl'ass 44 which'is continuously supplied The bottompf the container is provided with an outlet 46 controlled by avertically movableplunger 41. Shears 480pcrate periodically to sever the formed charges 49 and permit them to drop through funnel guides 50 into the molds. 'Af tera measured quantityof molten glass 49 'has lbeeni deposited within the' molds disposed beneath the funnel guides50, the

carriages 25 are rotated inopposite directions, as indicated by the arrows, to bringthe molds into position opposite the plungers-31 and 38. The

'plungers are then operated to press or shape the charges of molten glass within the molds to form the two cup-like sections or halves I5 and I6 of the glass block shown in Fig. 6. The shape and size of the block sections is controlled by the shape and size of the plungers 31 and 38 and inner mold sections 32. The carriages .25 are then rotated to bring the molds and preformed sections of the block into horizontal position opposite one another and while in this position, the carriages the pistons 33 are actuated to move the outer and inner mold sections and 32 forwardly as a unit until the opposed outer mold sections engage one another at the edges thereof, as shown in Fig. 3.

Upon reference particularly to Figs. 2 and 3,

it will be noted that the router mold sections 30 of machines 2I and 22 are provided around the edges thereof with grooves 5| and 52 respectively and that when the mold sections are brought together, these grooves form a continuous channel 53 which communicates with the interior of the mold as at 54. Communicating with the channel 53 is a connection 55 leading to a suitable suction creating apparatus to be hereinafter described. When the outer opposed mold sections 30 are moved together as shown in Fig, 3, they form in effect a closed housing and upon operation of the suction creating apparatus, the air will be exhausted from the housing to create a vacuum within the space between the two sections I5 and I6 of the block.

While this vacuum is maintained, the pistons are actuated to move the inner mold sections 32 toward one another to bring the edge portions of the two sections or halves I5 and I5 of the block into engagement with one another as illustrated in Fig. 4. The two halves of the block are brought into contact while still sufficiently hot and plastic to adhere to one another and sufficient pressure is exerted to cause them to form a weld which securely and permanently unites.

them together. In order to maintain the edge portions of the two halves of the block at a proper temperature for welding, heaters 56 and 5! may be employed to reheat the said edge portions after the sections of the block have been formed and during movement thereof to horizontal position. The joining of the two sections or halves of.

the block is elfectecl while the said halves are in a controlled vacuum so that when the block is completed the air will be completely exhausted therefrom. This will result in a block having a maximum degree of insulating capacity. After the two halves of the block have been properly joined, the opposed inner mold sections 32 are first moved apart and then the outer mold sections 30, as shown in Fig. 5, at which time the completed block will be carried in one of the molds. Upon rotation of the carriages 25, the block will drop from the mold.

Although this invention is not limited to any particular type of mechanism for efiecting the operation of the rotatable carriages 25 and the outer and inner mold sections 30 and 32 in the manner above described, yet one form of mecha-- nism which may be employed for this purpose is.

4 illustrated in Figs. 1 and 7 to 10 of the drawings. The forward and backward movements of the outer and inner mold sections 30 and 32 of each machine 2| and 22, as well as the creation of the vacuum within the space between the two sections I5 and I6 of the glass block during the uniting thereof, are controlled by a timer designated in its entirety by the numeral 86 and pressure and exhausting apparatus associated therewith and designated generally by the numeral 81,

The timer 86 comprises a vertical stationary disc 88 mounted upon a. fixed support 89 and carrying upon one face thereof a plurality of arcuately curved contact strips 90, BI, 02, 93 and 94. Associated with the disc 88 and adapted to engage said contact strips is a rotatable contact finger mounted upon a horizontal shaft 96 driven from a motor 91 through the intermediary of suitable reduction gearing located in casing 98.

The pressure and exhausting apparatus 81 comprises a housing 99 provided therein with a relatively large chamber I00 and a relatively smaller chamber IOI separated from one another by a dividing wall I02. The top of the chamber I00 is provided with four openings I03, I04, I05 and I06 within which are secured one end of conduits I01, I08, I09 and H0 respectively communicating with said chamber. The top of chamber ml is provided with a single opening I I I having associated therewith one end of a conduit II2 communicating with said chamber.

Carried by the bottom of the housing 99 are solenoids H3, H4, H5, H6 and I, each having a vertically slidable plunger I I8 passing upwardly through the bottom of said housing and provided at its upper end with a valve head H9 adapted to close the respective opening I03, I04, I05, I06 or III. Each vertical plunger H8 is normally urged upwardly by a compression spring I20 to cause the valve head II9 to maintain the respective opening closed.

The solenoids H3, H4, H5, H6 and II! are electrically connected with the contact strips 90, 9|, 92, 93 and 94 on timer disc 88 by wires I2I, I22, I23, I24 and I25 respectively, while each solenoid is also connected by a wire I26 with the negative main line I 21. To complete a circuit through the solenoids, a contact plate I28 is associated with the timer shaft 96 and connected by a wire I29 to the positive main line I30.

Secured in one end of the housing 99 and communicating with the chamber I00 is a pipe I3I connected with a suitable pressure pump or the like (not shown) adapted to maintain a predetermined air pressure within said chamber at all times. Associated with the opposite end of housing 99 and communicating with the chamber MI is a pipe I32 leading to an exhausting pump or the like (not shown) for maintaining a vacuum within said chamber at all times.

Keyed to the stationary shaft 28 of each rotatable carriage 25 is a ring I33 provided with five openings I34, I35, I35, l3! and I38 extending through said ring and in the outer ends of which are secured the opposite ends of the conduits I01, I 08. E09, H0 and H2 respectively. These openings are located opposite the point or station where the mold carriers are brought op osite one another as are the carriers 29 in Fig. 1. Each rotatable carriage 25 is also provided with a set of five openings I39, I40, I4I, I42 and I43 for each of the molds carried thereby, said openings corresponding to the openings I34 to I38 respectively in the ring I33 and adapted to register therewith upon rotation of the carriages to bring the molds into position opposite one another.. The two openings I39 and MI of each-set are connected by pipes I44 and I45 to the cylinder 34 of the outer mold section 30 of the respective molds, the two openings I40 and I42 being connected by pipes I46 and I 41 to the cylinder 36 of th inner mold section 32, and the opening I43 being connected by a pipe I48 130 the exhaust connection 55 of the mold.

As the two carriages 25 are rotated in opposite directions, as indicated by the arrows in Fig. l, and two complemental molds carried thereby brought into position opposite one another, the openings I39 to I43 in each carriage are caused to register with the openings I34 to I38 respectively in the respective stationary ring I33. When the molds are brought into such position, the rotation of the carriages is stopped and. a circuit completed through the motor 91 to rotate contact finger 95 in a clockwise direction. As the contact finger successively engages contact strips 99 to 94 on timer plate 88, the opposed outer mold sections 39 will first be moved forwardly to closed position as shown in Fig. 3; the air will then be exhausted from within the space between the glass block sections I5 and I6, after which the inner mold sections 32 will be moved together to effect the uniting of the glass block sections I5 and I6 asv indicated in Fig. 4. The vacuum within the mold is then broken and first the outer mold sections 30 and then the inner mold sections 32 moved away from one another to the position'shown in Fig. 5.

The rotatable carriages 25 are adapted to be driven in unison with one another and to this endthe hub I49 of each of said carriages is provided with a worm gear I50 and xtending between the two carriages is a common drive shaft I5I provided with worms I52 and I53 meshing with said worm gears I50. The shaft I5I is driven from a motor I54 and, upon operation thereof, the two carriages will be rotated in timed relation.

In the operation of the apparatus, and when the motor I54 is placed in operation, the two carriages 25 will be caused to rotate in timed relation in opposite directions until two molds are brought into position opposite one another as shown in Fig. 1, at which time the carriages are automatically brought-to a stop. To accomplish this, there is carried by the hub I49 of each carriage 25 a disc I55 having a plurality of equally spaced knobs I55 around the periphery thereof. Associated with each carriage is a switch I51 having a spring-pressed contact arm I58 disposed in the path of travel of the knobs I56 on disc I55. The switch I5? is mounted in a fixed position upon a stationary support I59.

When the molds on the two carriages 25 are brought directly opposite one another, one of the knobs I55 on disc I55 will engage the contact arm I58 of switch I51 and force it inwardly.

circuit through the motor I54 and bringing the.

same to a stop. During the time the knob I56 is in engagement with the spring arm I58 and the motor I54 stopped, the motor 91 is placed in operation to cause rotation of the contact finger 95 and operation of the solenoids II3. to III to actuate the mold sections 30 and 32 whereby to efiect the uniting of the glass block sections I5 and I6. On the other hand, when the switch arm I58 is not engaged by one of the knobs I56, it is urged forwardly to assume the position diagramthroughthe motor I54 to place it in operationm'aticallyshown in broken lines in Fig. 9,:at

which time a circuit will be completed throughthe motor I54 to place the same in operation, whereupon current from the positive main line I99 will enter through wire I6I and pass through switch I5'I, wires I62 and I63 to motor I54and- NH, switch I51, and wire I66 to the motor 91, and

thence out to the negative main line I65 through wire I 67. When the motor 91 is placed in opera tion, the shaft 96 will be rotated and the contact finger 95 will initially engage the contact strip 90,

thereby completing a circuit through the solenoid IE3 to draw the plunger '8 thereof downwardly and permit compressed air to pass from the chamber I00 through the pipes I01 and I44t0 the cylinder 34 to move the outer mold section 30 forwardly.

Upon continued movement, the contact finger will next engage contact strip 94 to complete a circuit through solenoid I I1 and cause downward' movement of the plunger H8 thereof, whereupon the exhausting mechanism acting through chamber WI and pipes II 2 and I48 will create a vacuum within the space between the glass block sections I5 and I6. The contact finger 95 will then engage contact strip 9!, causing the energizing of solenoid II4 to permit the passage of compressed air through pipes I08 and I46 to cylinder 36.to move the inner mold section 39 for-- wardly to bring the glass block sections into engagement with one another and to efiect the joining of them together while the vacuum is maintained. When the contact finger passes beyond contact strip 94, the solenoid II! will be de-energized and the opening III closed to break the vacuum within the mold. Upon continued movement; the contact finger 95 will pass from contact strip to contact strip 92 and cause energization of solenoid I I5, whereupon compressed air will be passed through the pipes I09 and I45 to cylinder 34 to cause rearward movement of the outer mold section 30. The contact finger then passing from contact. strip 9| to contact strip 93 will cause energization of solenoid H6 to permit compressed air to pass through pipes H0 and I41 to cylinder 35 to move the inner mold section 32 rearwardly.

When this last operation is completed, namely, the movement of the inner mold section 32 rearwardly to the position shown in Fig. 5, the carriages 2-5 are again ready to be rotated to bring the next pair of molds opposite one another. To

again start up the motor I54 while one of the knobs I55 on disc I55 is in engagement with switch arm I58, there is carried by the timer disc 88 a relatively short contact strip I58 from which runs a wire I69 connected to wire I63. An-

other wire I'I0 runs from contact finger 95 towire I6l, Thus, when the contact finger 95 engages contact strip I68, a circuit willbe completed However, as pointed out above, when At this time, the current enters from the positive main line I60 and passes through wire" 7 and thus effect rotation of the. carriages 25. At this time, the current will travel from the positive main line I60. throu h wires I6! and I10, contact finger 9:5, contact strip. I68 and wires I 69 and I63 to the motor I54, and thence to negative main line I55 through wire I64.

When the carriage has been rotated sufliciently to move the knob I55 on disc I55 out of engagement with switch arm I58. the switch arm will be urged outwardly to again assume the broken line position in Fig. 9,, whereupon operation of he motor 91 will be stopped, While the motor I514. will continue to operate until the next knob I56 engages switch arm I58. When the knob IE6 is moved out of en agement with switch arm I58, the contact finger 95 will also pass beyond contact strip I58 as shown in Fig. 9 and will be. held stationary until the next knob I56 forces switch arm rearwardly to break the circuit through motor I54 and complete the circuit through motor 91. The ring I33 may be urged toward, and held in engagement with its respective carriage 25 bya compression spring I1! encircling shaft 28, and suitable sealing means I12 may be provided between the ring and carriage to provide a tight joint.

In Fig. 11 is illustrated a timer and means associated therewith for controlling the operation of the glass feeder plungers 41 of furnaces 23 and 24 to efiect the periodic feeding of charges of molten glass 49 into the molds and for also controlling the operation of the press plungers 31 and 3.8 in timed relation to each other and also. in timed relation to the rotation of the mold care riages 25 and actuation of the molds.

The timer is designated inv its entirety by the numeral I13 and comprises a stationary disc I14 which is also preferably mounted in surrounding relation to the shaft 95. Carried by the disc I14 are the four arcuate contact strips I15, I16, I11 and I18, while fixed to the shaft 96 is a contact finger I19 adapted to selectively engage the contact strips i1 -418 upon rotation of said shaft in' the direction indicated by the arrow;

Associated with the timer I13 is a housing I80 having a chamber I9! therein and, communicating with one end of said chamber is a pipe I82 connected to a suitable pressure pump orthe like (not shown) adapted to maintain a predetermined air pressure within chamber I8I at all times. Provided in the top of housing I80 are four openings I83, I84, I85 and I86 in the upper ends of which are fitted pipes I81, I88, I89 and I90 respectively. Associated with the opposite ends of pipes I81 and I88 are the valve casings IM and [9-2, while similar valve casings I93 and I 94 are associated with the opposite ends of pipes- I89 and I190. Leading from the valve casings IN and I92 are pipes I95 and I95connected to a vertical cylinder I91 (Fig. 1) in which operates a piston I98 carrying the plunger 41 of the respective furnace 23 or 24, while leading from the valve casings I93 and I94 are pipes I99 and 200 connected with the respective cylinder M or 42 of the press plungers 31' and 38.

Carried by the bottom of the housing I80 are. solenoids 291, 202, 203 and 204 having vertical plunger-s- 205, 208, 201 and 209 which pass upwardly through chamber I8I and are provided with valves 209, 2I-9, 2H. and 212 which control the respective openings I83, I84, I85 and I86. The valves 20.9-2 I2 are normallyurged upwardly into closed, position, when the solenoids. 20;I-204 are deenergized, by a coil spring 2I3, encircling each of the solenoid plungers. 205-408.v The 61? hereby open valve 225 and close valve 225.

stantia-lly simultaneously, the solenoid 203 will besolenoid MI .is electrically connected with the contact strip I11 of timer I13; solenoid 202 with contact strip I18 through wire 239, solenoid 2I4 and wire 238; solenoid 203 with contact strip I15 through wire 23I, solenoid 22I and wire 230; and solenoid 204 with contact strip I16.

Carried by the valve casing I9I is a solenoid 2 I4, the plunger 2 I 5 of which passes upwardly through an opening ZIB in the top of said valve casing I9I and also through an opening 2I1 in the bottom of valve casing I92. Secured to the plunger 2I5 are the two valves 2| 8 and 2I9 adapted to control the openings .2I6 and 2I1 respectively. The plunger 2 I 5 is. normally urged upwardly, upon deenergization of solenoid 2I4, by a coil spring 220 to maintain the valve 2I8 closed and valve 2I9 open. However, upon energization of the solenoid 2M, the plunger 2I'5 thereof will be drawn downwardly against the action of spring 220 to open valve 2 I8 and close valve 2 I 9.

Carried by the valve casing I912 is a solenoid 22L the plunger 222 of which extends upwardly through an opening 2.23 in said valve casing I94 and also through an opening 224 in valve casing l 83. Fixed to the plunger 222 are valves 225 and 229 for controlling the openings 223 and 224 respectively, said plunger being normally urged upwardly by coil spring 221, upon de-energization of solenoid 22!, to maintain the valve 225 closed and valve 229 open. Upon energization of the solenoid 223, the plunger 222 thereof will be drawn downwardly against the action of spring to open valve 225 and close valve 226.

In. the operation of the timer I13 and associated parts above described, when the rotatable carriages 25 are brought to a stop, with two molds disposed opposite one another and during move ment of the molds toward one another to effect the joining of the two halves of the block, the timer I13. will simultaneously operate to cause charges of molten glass 59 to be delivered from the furnaces 23 and 2:3 to the molds positioned beneath the outlets and to also actuate the press plungers 31 and 38 to press the charges of glass in the. molds positioned opposite said pl-ungers. Although the arrangement illustrated in Fig. 11 is adapted to actuate only one glass feed-er plunger and one press plunger, it will be readily understood that the apparatus can simply be duplicated to cause simultaneous operation of both glass feeder plungers 41 and press plungers 31; and 58.

More particularly, when the mold carriages 25 are brought to a stop and the shaft 96 placed in rotation to operate timer 85, the timer I13 will also be. actuated. As the shaft 96 rotates, and contact finger I19 engages contact strip I15, a circuit will be completed through solenoid 22I to draw the plunger 222 thereof downwardly and Subenergized to open valve 2-I I, whereupon compressed air will be forced through pipe I89, valve casing :93 and pipe I99 into cylinder 4| to urge the respective plunger 31 or 38 outwardly to shape the charge of molten glass in the respective mold. At this time, the current will pass from the positive main line 228 through wire 229, contact finger I19, contact strip I15, wire 230, solenoid 22I,

fwire 23I, solenoid 203, and wires 232 and 233 to the negative main line 234. Upon forward movement of the press plunger, air discharged from the cylinder through pipe 209 will pass into the valve: casing I94 and thence to the atmosphere through valve. 225.

When the contact finger I19 passes from contact strip I15, the solenoids 22! and 203 will be de-energized, whereupon the valve 2 will be closed to shut oh the supplyof air to the cylinder 4! or 42 and, likewise, the valve 225 will be closed and valve 226 opened. Upon leaving contact strip I15, the contact finger I19 engages contact strip I16, whereby to complete a circuit through solenoid 285 to effect the return of the press plunger to inoperative position. At this time, current entering from the positive main line 228 will pass through the contact finger I19, contact strip I16, wire 235, solenoid 2M, and wires 236 and 233 to the negative main line 234. 'Upon energization of solenoid .204, valve 2E2 will be opened and air forced through pipe I98, valve casing I94, and pipe 20s to the cylinder M or 42 to force the plunger 31 or 35 inwardly. Air discharged through the pipe I95 will pass into the valve casing I 93 and be permitted to flow therefrom through opening 224. When the contact finger I19 passes beyond contact strip I16, the solenoid 296 will be deenergized to close valve 2| 2.

During the time that the contact finger I19 engages contact strip I16, it is also in engagement with contact strip I11 to complete a circuitthrough the solenoid ZIJI, whereupon current entering from the positive main line 228 will pass through contact finger I19, contact strip I11, wire 231, solenoid 20!, and wire 233 to the negative main line 2%. Upon energization of solenoid 2!", the valve 259 will be opened and air forced through pipe #81, valve casing I9I and pipe I95 to the cylinder I91 of furnace 23 or 24, causing the plunger 61 thereof to be raised and permitting a charge of molten glass 49 to pass through the outlet 36 into the mold positioned therebeneath. Air being forced from the cylinder I91 through pipe I9 5 will pass into valve casing I92 and flow therefrom to the atmosphere through opening 2H.

When the contact finger I19 passes beyond contact strip I11, the solenoid 29I will be deenergized to cause closing of the valve 299. The contact finger then engages contact strip I19 causing the energization of solenoid 202 and also energization of solenoid 2M. At this time the current will pass from the positive main line through contact finger I19, contact strip I18, wire 23 8, solenoid 2 IA, wire 239, solenoid 292, and wires 24!! and 233 to the negative main line 234. When this is done, the plunger 2I5 of solenoid 2M will be drawn downwardly to open valve 2I8 and close valve 219. Simultaneously, valve 2I0 will be opened to permit air to be forced through pipe I88, valve casing I92 and pipe I96 to cylinder I91 to force the plunger 41 downwardly to close outlet 46. Upon downward movement of plunger 41, air forced from the cylinder I91 through pipe I95 will pass into valve casing I9! and thence to the atmosphere through opening ZIB.

The operation of the glass feeder plungers 41 and press plungers 31 and 38 is so controlled that their actuation will be completed by the time the contact finger 95 of timer 85 engages contact plate I68 to again start the motor I54 to rotate the carriages 25. Thus, it will be seen that during the actuation of the molds, which are disposed in horizontal position to efiect the joining of the two halves of the block, charges of molten glass will be deposited in those molds positioned beneath the furnace outlets 46 and simultaneously the press plungers 31 and 38 will be actuated to press the charges of molten glass in the 10 molds opposite'said press plungers to form the two halves of a block. Due to the provision of the timers 86 and I13, these various operations will be so controlled that they will be performed in properly timed relation to one another.

It is to be understood that the form of the invention herewith shown and described is to be taken asthe preferred embodiment of the same, and that various changes in the shape, size and arrangement of parts maybe resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

I claim:

1. In' apparatus for the manufacture of multipart hollow glass building blocks, a pair of molds adapted to receive separate charges of molten glass, each mold including a relatively deep outer section and a shallower inner section movable relative to one another, means normally spaced from said molds and adapted to cooperate with the in-,

ner mold sections for shaping the charges of molten glass to form two substantially similar halves of a block, means for moving said molds and preformed halves of the block into position opposite one another and means for movingthe outer sections of the molds into engagement with one another to form a closed housing within which the inner sections and the preformed halves of the block are still spaced from one another, means for exhausting the air from the closed housing so formed to create a vacuum between the two spaced halves of the block, and means for then moving the inner mold sections relative to the outer mold sections to bring the 7 two halves of the block into engagement with one another and to effect the uniting thereof, when said molds and preformed halves of the blocks are in opposed relation to one another.

2. In apparatus for the manufacture of multipart hollow glass building blocks, a pair of carriages arranged side by side and rotatable in opposite directions about horizontal axes, molds movably carried by said carriages and adapted to receive separate charges of molten glass, each mold including relatively movable outer and inner sections, means normally positioned out of the path of travel of said carriages and cooperating with the inner mold sections for shaping the charges of molten glass to form two substantially similar halves of a block, means for intermittently rotating said carriages to bring the molds and preformed halves of the block into position opposite one another and means for moving the outer sections of the molds into engagement with one another to form a substantially closed housing, means for exhausting the air from the closed housing so formed to create a vacuum between the two halves of the block, and means for then moving the inner mold sections relative to the outer mold sections to bring the edge portions of the two halves of the block into engagement with one another and to effect the welding of them together while maintaining said vacuum, when said. molds and preformed halves of the blocks are in opposed relation to one another.

3. In apparatus for the manufacture of multipart hollow glass building blocks, a pair of molds adapted to receive separate charges of molten glass, each mold including a relatively deep movable outer section and a shallower inner section movable only as a unit relative to and independently of the outer section, means normally spaced from said molds but adapted to cooperatev with the inner mold sections for shaping the charges of molten glass to form two substantially similar halves of a block, means for moving said molds and. preformed halves of the block into position opposite one another and means for moving the inner and outer sections of the molds simultaneously to bring the relatively deep outer sections of. the molds into engagement with one another to form a closed housing within which the inner sections and the preformed halves of the blocks are still spaced from one another, means for exhausing the air from the closed housing so formed to create a vacuum between the two spaced halves of the block, and means for moving the inner mold sections relative to the outer mold sections to bring the two halves of the block into engagement with one another and to effect the uniting thereof, when said molds and preformed halves of the blocks are in opposed relation to one another.

4. In apparatus for the manufacture of multipart hollow glass building blocks, a pair of carriages arranged side by side and rotatable in opposite directions about horizontal axes, molds movably carried by said carriages and adapted to receive separate charges of molten glass, each mold including relatively movable outer andinner sections, means normally positioned out of the path of travel of said carriages and cooperating with the inner mold sections for shaping the charges of molten glass to form two substantially similar halves of a block, means for intermittently rotating said carriages to bring the molds and preformed halves of the block into position opposite one another; and means for moving the outer sections of the molds into engagement with one another to form a substantially closed housing, means for exhausting the air from the closed housing so formed to create a vacuum between the two halves of the block, means for then moving the inner mold sections relative to the outer mold sections to bring the edge portions of the two halves of the block into engagement with one another and to effect the welding of them together While maintaining said vacuum, when said molds. and preformed halves of the blocks are in opposed. relation to one another, and timing mechanism. op-eratively associated with said apparatus for controlling the operations of the several elements in synchronism.

JOHN L. DRAKE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

